Everyone wants perfect portraits of their sweet little babies to enjoy for years to come. So, to help ensure everything goes as well as possible, here are some tips to help you prepare for your baby's milestone portrait session.
Book your session.
As a mom, I know this can be one of the hardest parts. If you can, schedule the session a few months in advance to ensure getting a session with a photographer you love. Choose a time that does not conflict with nap time. If possible, right after nap time and when baby is at their happiest time of day.
Choose the outfits.
What your baby wears has so much to do with how your final images will look. You don't want them to overshadow baby, so keep them simple and timeless to keep baby as the focus. For variety in your gallery, I would suggest choosing at least 2 looks, even if one of those looks is just a plain white diaper. Learn more about what baby should wear here: WHAT YOUR BABY SHOULD WEAR FOR A PORTRAIT SESSION
Iron or steam all of the outfits you’re thinking of bringing to the session.
If you are bringing a smash cake, place your order about a month in advance. The best size for a smash cake is 6" in diameter or less.
Have everything ready to go the night before. Hang all outfits by the door or in your car. Make sure you pack an extra set of diapers, wipes, change of clothes, snacks, hair brush, and milk or formula in your diaper bag. It's so easy to forget something when you're rushing to get out of the house. So having it all together the night before will help make your session day better for you and baby.
What to Do the Day of Your Session
To avoid accidents and keep wrinkles at a minimum, wait until you are at the session location to get baby dressed in their outfit.
If your baby wears socks, make sure to remove them at least 30 minutes before the session so they don't leave impression marks on your baby’s skin. The tiniest details like that will show up in your images.
Check fingernails and toenails. They need to be trimmed and clean. Sounds obvious, but sometimes they're overlooked and it shows in the photos.
Check face for food, boogs, crusties, etc.
Moisturize. Face. Arms. Hands. Elbows. Legs. Feet. Everything.
Make sure they are fed before the session, if possible, to allow more time for more photos...and have a happier baby.
Make sure YOU have been fed as well. If mama ain't happy, nobody's happy.
What to Bring and Not to Bring to Your Session
Have non-messy snacks on hand. Nothing that will stain. Puffs, and cheerios are good examples.
Avoid bringing toys or “lovies” that you do not want photographed. Once they see their favorite toy, it will be difficult to capture images without it. However, if they have a favorite rattle or lovey or something that won't be distracting in their images, make sure to pack it. Anything in a neutral color is just fine.
Consider leaving guests and siblings at home. Baby can become easily distracted by too many people around during the session.
If you are doing a cake smash, make sure you have something to put the leftovers in to take home.
If you don't want to take baby home is his session outfit, or if you're doing a cake smash session, make sure to pack a change of clothes.
If you're able to manage all of those things, congratulations! If not, it's sill going to be ok.
Just allow yourself to BREATHE.
Don't worry about if everything will go right or look right. Relax and let the session unfold as your photographer captures all the details, expressions, and adorableness of your little one. Happy faces, sad faces, silly faces and all.
Have a little one who needs capturing? I'd love to have a session with you! Just click the link below.
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